MINUTES

Regular Meeting – Board of Trustees

June 1, 2009

 

 

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, June 1, 2009, at 6:07 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: Ms. Nan McRaven, Chair/Presiding Officer; Ms. Veronica Rivera, Board Vice Chair; Dr. James W. McGuffee, Board Secretary; Mr. Raul Alvarez [arrived at 6:30 p.m.]; Mr. John-Michael Cortez; Mr. Allen H. Kaplan; Mr. Tim Mahoney; Dr. Barbara P. Mink; and Mr. Jeffrey Richard.

 

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.

 

Election/Re-Election of Board Officers

Dr. James McGuffee, Board Secretary, advised that the By-Laws of the Board of Trustees state that a single Trustee in a single position cannot serve more than two years out of any four years.  He said that he had served as Board Secretary for two years.  He stated he was very pleased and grateful to have served his fellow Trustees, the administration, faculty and staff.  He expressed appreciation to Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, College President/CEO, and Ms. Pat Stubbs, Assistant to the President/Board, for providing information to him and the Board in a timely manner in response to Board policy.

 

Trustees James W. McGuffee moved and Jeffrey Richard seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees elect Dr. Barbara P. Mink as Board Secretary; and re-elect Ms. Veronica Rivera as Board Vice Chair; and Ms. Nan McRaven as Board Chair.

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

FOR:  John-Michael Cortez, Allen H. Kaplan, Tim Mahoney, James W. McGuffee, Nan McRaven, Barbara P. Mink, Jeffrey Richard, and Veronica Rivera.

AGAINST:  None.

ABSENT:  Raul Alvarez.

 

Chair McRaven expressed appreciation to Trustee McGuffee for his dedicated and valued service as Board Secretary.  She commented that the Board Officers had worked well as a team.  A plaque was presented to Trustee McGuffee in recognition of his dedication and service.

 

Trustee Richard expressed appreciation for the work of the Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary during the past year.

 

Trustees exchanged seats at the dais.

 

Recognitions

·        Annual Report of Alpha Gamma Pi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and Scholarship Awards - Ms. Mary Kohls, Chapter Advisor,  distributed copies of the Annual Report and spoke regarding the six scholarship nominees for the all USA Academic Team and the Coca Cola Scholar Program.  Dr. Reed Peoples, Co-Advisor for Phi Theta Kappa Chapter, joined Ms. Kohls in presenting awards to David Dunkin,  Jacquelyn Hadnot, Ms. Yari Sandal, Ms. Elena Perry, Ms. Chelsea Stein (absent from the meeting), and Ms. Hilda Anna Swann.  Jacquelyn was chosen as a Coca Cola Scholar and received a scholarship.  Yari Sandal and Anna Swann were named finalists and received scholarships.  Mr. David Dunkin, President of Alpha Gamma Pi 2008-2009, presented the annual report of activities including participation in voter registration, community projects, shipping of books on tapes, Helping Hand program, as well as other activities.  He expressed appreciation to the Board of Trustees, Austin Community College, Student Life, and faculty advisors.  Mr. Dunkin introduced Ms. Katherine Petsche, President of Alpha Gamma Pi 2009-2010.  Mr. Petsche expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve as the President for 2009-2010.

 

Dr. Kinslow and Trustees expressed congratulations and appreciation to Ms. Mary Kohls, Mr. Reed Peoples, the officers of the Alpha Gamma Pi Chapter, and the scholarship winners for their achievements during 2008-2009.

 

Citizens Communication

The following individuals registered and addressed the Board:

·        Ms. Sylvia Mendoza, student, spoke regarding financial aid.  Dr. Kinslow responded regarding the appeal process.

·        Ms. Devorah Feldman, ACC faculty, expressed appreciation to the Trustees who attended the recent meeting of the Full-Time Faculty Senate.  Ms. Feldman spoke regarding compensation.

·        Ms. Anaka Rivera, ACC faculty, spoke regarding compensation.

·        Mr. Deyland Bartlet, ACC faculty, spoke regarding adjunct health benefits.

 

[Trustee Raul Alvarez arrived at the meeting at 6:30 p.m.]

 

Reports from Associations

·        Adjunct Faculty Association – Mr. Don Morris, President, spoke regarding the 2009 market survey/compensation.

·        Classified Employees Association – Ms. Suzanne Ortiz, President, spoke regarding duties of the Association; inflation; cost-of-living raise for all employees; and meetings with the administration.

·        Full-Time Faculty Senate – Dr. Dan Dydek, President, expressed appreciation to Trustees for attending a recent meeting of the Full-Time Faculty Senate and spoke regarding the budget and compensation.

·        Professional-Technical Employees Association – Dr. Susan Thomason, President, presented a check from the Association’s “You Rock ACC” project in the amount of $1,000 for the College Connection scholarships to Ms. Stephanie Diina-Dempsey, Executive Director of the Austin Community College Foundation.  Dr. Thomason introduced Rosemary Burkes and Alice Farmer who received the most ACC rocks.  Dr. Thomason spoke regarding the market competitive rate, compensation, compensation levels, and market adjustments.

·        Student Government AssociationMr. Joshua Bacak, President, expressed appreciation to the Board of Trustees for their assistance and stated the Association was currently working on the plan for next year.

 

President’s Report

Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, College President/CEO, spoke regarding enrollments and the Budget Reference Book.  Trustee Rivera commented on the increased number of ACC graduates at the 2009 Graduation Ceremony.

 

Reports to the Board

 

·        Facilities Update – Mr. Bill Mullane, Executive Director of Facilities and Construction, called attention to current construction and renovation projects, GO Tax Bond Projects, District-Wide Renovation Projects, and Detailed Usage of Interest Earnings.  He mentioned the recent “topping out” held at the Rio Grande Campus for the new parking garage.  He called attention to the new pictures of the Round Rock Campus on the website.  Mr. Mullane responded to questions from Trustees.

 

·        Financial Report – April 2009 – Mr. Ben Ferrell, Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration, called attention to the information provided including: 

o       Based on current information, the College’s budget was on track and projecting a positive $5.0 million in Net Revenues & Expenses, and a $10.6 million increase in Net Assets.

o       Spring enrollments were up 12.5%.  Fall SCH enrollments were up about 5.0%.  This exceeded the original projections of 2% growth, and therefore tuition revenues were projected to be above budget. 

o       As for expenses, Adjunct Faculty and Overloads were projected to slightly exceed original 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 under budget by $1.3 million.

In summary, adjusting revenues up by $4.6 million and expenses down by $0.4 million, Net Revenues over Expenses projected a budget surplus of about $5.0 million and an increase in Total Net Assets of about $10.6 million.  Cash and investments were in line at approximately $207 million, including $125 million in bond proceeds.  Mr. Ferrell responded to questions from Trustees.

 

·        Legislative Report – Ms. Linda Young, Special Assistant to the President for External Affairs, distributed information and provided comments regarding current Federal and State Issues.  She responded to questions from Trustees.

 

CONSENT ITEM(S)

Chair McRaven introduced the Consent Agenda.

 

Agenda Item 8591

Minutes of the June 1, 2009, Regular Meeting and

June 15, 2009, Work Session of the Austin Community

College District Board of Trustees

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

 

Trustees Veronica Rivera moved and John-Michael Cortez seconded that:

MOTION: The Board of Trustees approve Consent Agenda Item 8591, Minutes of the May 11, 2009, Regular Meeting of the Austin Community College District Board of Trustees.

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

FOR:  Raul Alvarez, John-Michael Cortez, Allen H. Kaplan, Tim Mahoney, James McGuffee, Nan McRaven, Barbara P. Mink, Jeffrey Richard, and Veronica Rivera.

AGAINST:  None.

 

DISCUSSION/POSSIBLE ACTION

 

Agenda Item 8592

Resolution Expressing Intent to Finance

Expenditures to be Incurred by the Austin

Community College District

Chair McRaven introduced the item.  Mr. Ben Ferrell provided information regarding the Resolution which would preserve the option to reimburse the operating fund for the recent Pinnacle land purchase from a future revenue bond issue, should a future revenue be approved by the Board for land banking or other purposes. 

 

Upon the advice of the ACC Financial Advisor and Board legal counsel, staff recommended that the Board adopt a resolution which will preserve the option to reimburse the operating fund for the cash purchase of land near the Pinnacle campus from a future revenue bond issue.  The resolution must be approved within sixty (60) days of the land purchase, which occurred on April 17, 2009.  While reimbursement is not required, staff believes it prudent to preserve the option should it prove beneficial to the District in planning for land banking and future financing.

 

Mr. Ferrell responded to questions from Trustees.  It was noted that the Resolution should be amended to reflect Dr. Barbara Mink’s name and signature line as Board Secretary.

 

Trustees Allen H. Kaplan moved and Barbara P. Mink seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees approve the Resolution Expressing Intent to Finance Expenditures to be incurred by the Austin Community College District.

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

FOR:  Raul Alvarez, John-Michael Cortez, Allen H. Kaplan, Tim Mahoney, James McGuffee, Nan McRaven, Barbara P. Mink, Jeffrey Richard, and Veronica Rivera.

AGAINST:  None.

 

Agenda Item 8593

Policy Compliance Report on Student Success:

A-1, Vision/Mission/Values Statement

A-3, Equal Educational Opportunity

A-6, Student Goal Achievement

 

Trustees Veronica Rivera moved and James McGuffee seconded that:

MOTION:  The Board of Trustees table this agenda item until the June 15, 2009, Board Work Session.

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

FOR:  Raul Alvarez, John-Michael Cortez, Allen H. Kaplan, Tim Mahoney, James McGuffee, Nan McRaven, Barbara P. Mink, Jeffrey Richard, and Veronica Rivera.

AGAINST:  None.

 

Agenda Item 8594

FY10 Budget Study:

·        Tuition/Fees

·        Technology/Capital Outlay Plan

·        Vendors Over $100,000

·        Compensation Recommendations

·        Benefits Recommendations

 

Chair McRaven introduced the item and Mr. Ben Ferrell; Ms. Gerry Tucker, Vice President, Human Resources; Mr. Neil Vickers, Associate Vice President, Finance and Administration; Dr. Richard Smith, Associate Vice President, Instructional Resources and Technology; Mr. Stan Gunn, Associate Vice President, Information Technology, presented information on the FY2010 budget relating to the Technology/Capital Outlay Plan, Compensation and Benefits, Auxiliary Enterprises, and Vendors over $100,000.  Trustees discussed the proposed budget and requested additional information.

 

Agenda Item 8595

Annual Evaluation of College President

Chair McRaven introduced the item. 

 

Executive Session

The Board of Trustees of the Austin Community College District recessed into Executive Session at 9:05 p.m. pursuant to Texas Government Code §551.074 relating to personnel matters, including the annual evaluation of Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, College President.

 

Reconvene

The Board of Trustees of the Austin Community College District reconvened in public session at 9:58 p.m. pursuant to Texas Government Code 551.

 

Agenda Item 8595

Annual Evaluation of College President

Chair McRaven said that the Board of Trustees of the Austin Community College District had completed its annual evaluation of Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, College President.  She stated that the evaluation was excellent and that Dr. Kinslow and the administration had done an incredible job this year.

 

Adjournment

Having no motion before the Board, the June 1, 2009, meeting of the Austin Community College District Board of Trustees was adjourned at 9:59 p.m.

 

Approved By

Barbara P. Mink, Board Secretary