Round Rock Campus Advisory Committee Meeting Date: Co-Chair: Co-Chair:

Monday, October 13, 2014 Judy Van Cleve Glen Colby

Members Present: Glen Colby Mike Freeman Paul Mason Craig Morgan Gordon Perez Wajma Nasher Marla Dean Judy Van Cleve

Members Absent: Suzanne Baker Kristen Farrell Robbin Gesch Andy Martinez Eric Whitfield

Time: 3:00pm – 5:00pm Location: RRC Bldg. 1000, Room 1103

Presenters Dr. Mary Hensley Mr. William Mullane

Guests: Trustee Jeffrey Richard Trustee Dr. Barbara Mink Candice Brown Stefanie Vermillion Sheila Henderson Nina Butts Alice Farmer David Haney Bethany Bell Scott Nordquist

Minutes ____________________________________________________________________________ Agenda Item 1:

Welcome and Agenda Review

Discussion:

Mr. Glen Colby began the meeting at 3:05pm by welcoming CAC members, staff, and guests. Mr. Colby asked attendees to introduce themselves and then gave a brief overview of the agenda.

Agenda Item 2:

Approval of October 13, 2014 Meeting Minutes Presenter: Mr. Glen Colby

Discussion:

Mr. Colby asked CAC members to review the minutes from the April 30, 2014 meeting and advise him of any changes or corrections. No changes were needed. Dr. Marla Dean made a motion to approve the minutes, and Mr. Mike Freeman seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.

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Presenter: Mr. Glen Colby

Agenda Item 3:

Report and Discussion on the November 4, 2014 ACC Trustee Election, Bond Election and Tax Cap Amendment Election

Presenter: Dr. Mary Hensley Presenter: Mr. Bill Mullane

Discussion:

Dr. Mary Hensley began the discussion with a report on the ACC Trustee Election, Bond Election, and Tax Cap Amendment Election, noting all will appear on the November 4, 2014 ballot. ACC Trustee Election Dr. Hensley reported that the following Board of Trustees would be running for reelection. Tim Mahoney will be running for Place 1, and Nan McRaven will be running unopposed for Place 3 . John Michael Cortez, Place 2, is not seeking reelection. Bond Election and Tax Cap Amendment Election Dr. Hensley outlined ACC’s Pathways to Success and vital role to the community with Academic Transfer, Career and Technical Training, College Readiness, and Lifelong Learning programs. Dr. Mink added that ACC has a broad mission to serve many in the service area to produce a strong workforce and that a majority of high school students go to ACC before transferring to a four-year school. Lifelong Learning is very beneficial in helping adults move from one career to another. Dr. Hensley provided a Power-Point presentation with maps of the ACC service area and noted the taxing district within the service area. Residents in this area who are registered to vote are eligible to vote in the election. ACC Board of Trustees made an effort to see that all 11 campuses across the taxing district would be impacted by the bond election. Trustee Richard explained that a bond is a loan that can be paid back over time, usually 30 years. Paul Mason asked about ACC’s bond rating, and Trustee Richard noted that it was AA+. Bond Election – Proposition 1 Proposition 1 includes planning and construction for future growth. Highland Campus would be remodeled to include additional classroom and office space. Mr. Bill Mullane explained that the Board of Trustees passed a new policy concerning public/private partnerships and that RackSpace will be one of the College’s new partners. RackSpace, a cloud hosting computer company from San Antonio, will lease and remodel office space at the former womens’ Dillards at Highland, and ACC will benefit greatly from this partnership. RackSpace will encur the costs of renovation, and ACC will retain ownership of this property.

Mike Freeman noted that the revitalization of the Highland Campus will greatly benefit the neighborhoods around the campus as well as the City of Austin. Proposition 1 also includes a Leander Campus and land banking in southeast Travis County. A Leander Campus will reduce overcrowding at the Cypress Creek Campus. Mr. Bill Mullane noted that ACC owns 100 acres in a prime Leander area close to shopping, rail, and retail areas, and this urban campus would serve this growing area. Land banking in southeast Travis County is included in Proposition 1 and would provide for future needs in this area and would include workforce training for high-demand jobs. Bond Election – Proposition 2 Proposition 2 involves existing campus growth, renovation, health, safety, and sustainability. Dr. Hensley explained that this money would be used to renovate the Rio Grande Campus, provide a first-responders training center at Hays, another classroom building for Round Rock and offices to support the expanding health science programs. Mr. Craig Morton asked if the Round Rock building would just be for Health Sciences and Dr. Hensley explained that the building would provide general classroom space and labs for all students. She added that the Elgin Campus would get a workforce training center for sustainable agriculture and veterinary technician program. Buildings district wide would receive needed renovations for health, safety, technology, and sustainability. Trustee Mink stressed that all campuses would benefit from this proposition, and it is important for the Rio Grande Campus to keep its historical value. Tax Cap Amendment Election Dr. Hensley pointed out that the money raised in the bond elections is for the bond projects. Maintenance and Operation tax cap is a separate item on the ballot and can be used for ACC operational needs. This money may be used for staffing, salaries, furniture, maintenance, operating requirements of the eleven campuses, etc. Dr. Hensley noted that there are three primary ways that ACC receives funds: State appropriations (which have been decreasing), tuition and fees, and property taxes. ACC has had only one other bond election, in 2003. Dr. Hensley researched the 32 areas taxing jurisdications and found only one lower than ACC. Mr. Colby noted that ACC is supporting more square feet and campuses over a larger service area than other community colleges. The reason ACC ‘s tuition is high compared to some other community colleges is because the tax base is lower.

In closing, Dr. Hensley warned that ACC staff could not promote the bond on ACC time but could give factual, educational information if asked. ACC has a

designed a logo that will assure people that they are getting accurate, factual information about the election. All this information can be found at www.austincc.edu/bond. The Power-Point presentation that outlines all the information in today’s meeting is online and can be used to answer questions about the election. Mr. Mike Freeman reminded attendees that the ACC proposals are close to the bottom of the ballot. Dr. Hensley also added that, if a community group would like more information, to please contact her office and she will be happy to meet with them.

Agenda Item 5:

Adjournment

Presenter Mr. Glen Colby

Discussion:

Mr. Colby noted the time was 4:38 pm, thanked the committee and guests for their participation, and adjourned the meeting.