Northridge Campus Advisory Committee __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date: Co-Chairs:
April 8, 2014 Mr. Daniel Garcia and Ms. Bel Smith
Time: Location:
4:00pm – 6:00pm Northridge Campus, Room 3140
Attendees: Voting Members: Daniel Garcia Bel Smith Marshall Bennett Dr. Michelle Kaiserlian Dr. Michael Miller Robert Reyes Susan Shelton Ibrahim Tembe Stacy Moreno
Presenters: Dr. Mary Hensley William Mullane
Guests: Trustee Jeffrey Richard Christian Raymond Geoffrey Schulman Bill Woodhull Wade Bradfute Charlotte McDowell Jose Barrera Lisa Guerrero
Members Absent: Amanda Marlin Corky Hilliard Fernando Montemayor Adriana Grande Jennifer Gray Debra Peterson
Minutes _____________________________________________________________________ Agenda Item 1:
Welcome
Presenter:
Mr. Daniel Garcia Northridge CAC Co-Chair
Discussion:
Co-Chair Daniel Garcia welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m. Members and attendees introduced themselves. Members were asked to review the minutes from the previous meeting for approval.
_____________________________________________________________________ Agenda Item 2:
Approval of November 13, 2013 Meeting Minutes
Presenters:
Discussion:
Approval of the November minutes were left pending.
Mr. Daniel Garcia NRG CAC Co-Chair
Agenda Item 3: Report and Discussion on the Northridge Campus Discussion: Mr. Mullane presented an overview of: The Master Plan for Northridge ACC Highland Project Campus Master Plan Projects Districtwide Projects New Campus Projects Renovation of the Northridge Campus Questions:
Presenter: Mr. William Mullane
Stacy Moreno, SGA Senator: Inquired as to plans to add more buildings but not additional parking. Response: Bill Mullane clarified that the strategy to solving the overcrowding problem is to provide more space per student (i.e. full-size classrooms, learning lab space, testing centers, and student services space); the goal is 50 square feet per student.
Marshall Bennett: Suggested that instead of reiterating the same material presented at previous meetings, the CAC should be addressing “real time” problems currently affecting the campus, especially as there is a requirement to make a report back to the Board of Trustees: Response: Dr. Hensley reminded everyone that this is an overview, to set the stage and update all, especially those who were not at the last meeting.
Agenda Item 4: Report and Discussion on Potential ACC Bond Election
Presenter: Dr. Mary Hensley
Discussion: Dr. Hensley reviewed the bond election process: The Bond Program Advisory Committee met with the Board of Trustees and recommended 32 projects and listed 11 top priorities as recommendations for a potential election. The Academic Master Plan was presented to the Board of Trustees, and O’Connell-Robertson was selected as Master Planner for HLC. The Board of Trustees held a work session on 2/17/14. A decision on what will be included in the bond election has not yet been determined. The next Board of Trustees meeting will be on 4/21/14. Trustees will discuss the bond election as well as a potential Maintenance and Operation tax rate increase. Dr. Hensley explained what General Obligation Bonds pay for (capital improvements, facilities, etc.) and what Maintenance & Operations funds pay for (operating funds, salaries, staffing table positions, furniture, supplies, materials, etc.). The Board of Trustees have met with O’Connell-Robertson about the needs for the new Highland Campus. O’Connell-Robertson has made monthly presentations to the Board and is anticipated to present a final report to the Board by early summer. The 11/4/14 election must be called by no later than 8/18/14. Reasons for changing from a November 2013 to November 2014 election date. Eligible voters. Reminder about election ethics for ACC employees. ACCs General Obligation Bond history.
All handouts and PowerPoint presentation are found on the CAC website. Bill Mullane reviewed the Master Plan study and discussed related next steps: Identify which mall buildings and spaces will be renovated next. Determine which programs will move to that location (situated within existing buildings and/or on the properties that ACC will maintain). Questions:
Christian Raymond: Projected date for NRG parking and building addition? Response: Bill Mullane responded that is not known at this time. Dr. Hensley pointed out that the decision on what will be included in the bond package must be made before that can be answered.
Ibrahim Tembe, SGA Senator: How are high priority issues that cannot wait for the bond package taken care of (i.e. roof)? Responses: Dr. Hensley explained that the College has a facilities budget to address some facilities needs and emergencies. Trustee Jeffrey Richard made remarks on the upcoming bond election from the Board’s perspective. Reiterated that the facilities budget takes care of pressing/emergency facility needs. The bond process includes planning and assessing replacement needs. The thought process is that there will be a series of bonds to plan for the long term. Critical for constituents to understand what may be proposed in the bond election.
Stacy Moreno: Are there plans to expand the child development program for the Highland Campus? Responses: Trustee Richard assured her that there are ongoing conversations regarding child development in conjunction with child care. The Board is looking at all options, and Trustee Richard referenced partnering with entities, businesses, and/or P3 Partnerships (Public-Private Partnerships or Public-Public Partnerships. Bill Mullane clarified that the Master Planners are including space allocations at HLC. Guidance is needed on what type of child care to provide (i.e. ages, drop in, open to public, who will run it), questions that are critical to taking the next step. Dr. Hensley mentioned that the Bond Program Advisory Committee discussed three additional topics for the Board’s consideration: Establishment of a Bond Oversight Committee Participation in a City of Austin Disparity Study Child Care
Marshall Bennett made remarks to support the importance of making child care available as an option.
Susan Shelton: Inquired if presentations to community interest groups have started? Response: Dr. Hensley responded that they already have begun.
Stacy Moreno: Who made the decision for Tropical Smoothie at NRG? Responses: Dr. Hensley informed Stacy that Tropical Smoothie won the bid process. She provided the contact names for those who oversee the procurement process: Anthony Owens and Kirk Kirkland. Bill Mullane added that Kirk was directly involved and can answer most questions. Tropical Smoothie was selected via a bid process, with selection by quality, price, and offerings.
Dr. Hensley added that the VP of Budget and Finance, Neil Vickers, could be contacted as well on the topic. Agenda Item 5: Election, Northridge CAC Chair and VicePresenters: Mr. Daniel Garcia Chair Northridge CAC Co-Chair Discussion: Dr. Hensley informed the members that the CACs were now formalized in Board policy. She referenced handouts that were made available and explained the Board of Trustee policies regarding Board Advisory Committees and Campus Advisory Committees. Meetings are posted per Texas Open Meetings Act. Membership and terms of CAC members were reviewed. New guidelines state that there will now be a Chair and Vice-Chair, who can serve one term and a subsequent second term. By-Laws require CACs to meet at least once a year. Mr. Garcia asked for nominations for the NRG CAC Chair. Mr. Garcia volunteered to continue to serve as Chair. A second candidate, Marshall Bennett also announced interest in serving as Chair. After brief statements by both candidates declaring an interest the position, candidates for Chair were announced and votes taken. Marshall Bennett was selected to serve as the new Chair. Mr. Garcia took nominations for Vice-Chair. Bel Smith and SGA Student Representative Ibrahim Tembe expressed interest in serving as Vice-Chair. The candidates for Vice-Chair announced and a vote taken. Bel Smith was selected to serve as the new Vice-Chair.
_____________________________________________________________________ Agenda Item 6:
Meeting Adjournment
Presenters:
Mr. Daniel Garcia Northridge CAC Co-Chair
Discussion: Daniel Garcia turned the meeting over to the new Chair, Marshall Bennett, for adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 6:21 p.m.
Other Information: CAC Website: http://www.austincc.edu/cac/
