LAREDO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT Laredo, Texas

Transcription

1 LAREDO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT Laredo, Texas The meeting for the PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2016 BUDGET AND ON THE PROPOSED 2015 TAX RATE of the Laredo Community College Board of Trustees convened on Thursday, August 20, 2015 beginning at 6:15 p.m. in the Elpha Lee West Building room 105 at the Fort McIntosh Campus. ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT Mercurio Martinez Jr., President Allen Tijerina, Vice President Cynthia Mares, Secretary (Arrived at 6:19 p.m.) Michelle De La Peña Rene De La Viña Gilberto Martinez Jr. (Arrived at 6:21 p.m.) Jackie Leven-Ramos Tita C. Vela Cin Bickel, Faculty Representative MEMBERS ABSENT Leonides G. Cigarroa Jr. OTHERS Juan L. Maldonado Rusty Meurer, College Attorney Cesar E. Vela Jr. Patricia Barrera, Webb County Tax Assessor-Collector CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2016 BUDGET AND 1 ST PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED 2015 TAX RATE, MR. CESAR E. VELA JR. Judge Mercurio Martinez Jr., Board President, welcomed all present and called the hearing to order. Mr. Allen Tijerina, Board Vice President, called the roll. A quorum of the members was present. Judge Martinez, Board President, introduced himself, indicated the Board is now convening today s First Public Hearing on the proposed 2015 Laredo Community College Property Tax Increase and the proposed FY 2016 Budget. He presided as Chair of the Hearing and provided the following background information: Laredo Community College published in the Laredo Morning Times on July 29, 2015 a Notice of the 2015 Effective Property Tax Rate for Laredo Community College on August 11, 2015, the Laredo Community College Tax Assessor-Collector published in the Laredo Morning Times a Notice of Public Hearing advising that the First Public Hearing on the proposed 2015 property tax increase will take place today in this room at 6:00 p.m. The following is information related to the proposed tax increase. Laredo Community College 2015 effective property tax rate is $ per $100 valuation. The 2015 property tax rollback rate is $ per $100 valuation. If the Board of Trustees approves this tax rate increase, the proposed 2015 property tax rate would be $ per $100 valuation. This rate is less than the rollback tax rate but more than the effective tax rate. Our first public hearing today allows the proponents and opponents of the tax increase and budget to present their views to the Board of Trustees. Each proponent and opponent may now step up to the podium to express his or her views regarding the proposed tax increase and/or budget to the Board of Trustees, one at a time. The Board will allow each proponent and opponent up to three minutes of time to present his or her views. According to Board of Trustees policy CC (Local), no officer or employee from the College is required to respond to questions from speakers. There being no comments or testimony, he announced the second public hearing on the proposed tax increase is scheduled to take place on August 27, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the Laredo Community College Campus, Elpha Lee West Building room 105, West End Washington St., Laredo, TX. Judge Martinez concluded the Laredo Community Public Hearing and Special Board of Trustees Meeting August 20, 2015 Page 1 of 5

2 ADJOURN PUBLIC HEARING College First Public Hearing on the 2015 proposed property tax increase and FY 2016 budget and entertained a motion to close the public hearing. Ms. Jackie Leven-Ramos, Board Member, moved to adjourn the public hearing. The motion was seconded by Mr. Tijerina; motion carried. The special meeting of the Laredo Community College Board of Trustees convened following the public hearing. Judge Martinez noted the roll call had been taken. REVIEW PRESENTATION OF FY 2016 BUDGET - Mr. Cesar Vela, Comptroller, presented the following information. Both Mr. Vela and College President, Dr. Juan L. Maldonado answered questions from the Board followed by discussion. Planning Factors and Assumptions Revenues 1. No Tuition or Fee increases. 2. Student enrollment calculated at 3% below FY 2015 figures. 3. Decrease in state funding of 7.21%. 4. Increase in Assessed Valuation of 4.21% ($11,837,735,796). Expenditures 1. Expenditure increases limited to rate & price increases. 2. Expenditure increases covered by reductions elsewhere. 3. No new positions. 4. Maintain minimal unallocated amount. Employee Salaries & Benefits % increase in College paid health insurance premiums (Average benefit to employees of $467 to $1,139 per year depending on coverage type). 2. One step salary increase (average of 1.5%). Public Hearing and Special Board of Trustees Meeting August 20, 2015 Page 2 of 5

3 At p.m., Judge Martinez noted for the record the presence of Ms. Mares, Dr. Martinez, and Ms. Patricia Barrera, WCT Assessor-Collector. RATIFICATION OF MATCHING FUNDS FOR STARS SCHOLARSHIP TO BENEFIT LCC STUDENTS -DR. JUAN L. MALDONADO REVIEW AND ACT ON PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE FOLLOWING LAREDO COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES LOCAL POLICIES DEA (LOCAL): COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS SALARIES AND WAGES DEB (LOCAL): COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FRINGE BENEFITS BBFA (LEGAL) (EXHIBIT): ETHICS- CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE FORM (HAVING THEM BE FILLED OUT BY ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND THE COLLEGE PRESIDENT AND TO BE PLACED ON THE WEBSITE) -MS. JACKIE LEVEN-RAMOS UPDATE ON STUDENT HANDBOOKS ADDENDUM MS. JACKIE LEVEN-RAMOS EXECUTIVE SESSION Dr. Maldonado presented the item s background information and budgetary considerations regarding the required $12,500 matching funds that would provide a scholarship fund of $50,000. Ms. Mares moved that the Board ratify the expenditure of $12,500 from the restricted scholarship fund to help match the STARS Scholarship program for LCC students. Board Member Ms. Tita Vela seconded the motion; motion carried. Dr. Maldonado summarized the change to DEA LOCAL policy brought by the Program/Policy Committee is to change the word may to shall everywhere it was regarding the salary increases. Once approved by the Board, it will be submitted to TASB. Ms. Leven-Ramos made a motion for approval of DEA (LOCAL): COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS SALARIES AND WAGES as presented. Ms. Mares seconded the motion; motion carried. Ms. Leven-Ramos made a motion defer DEB (LOCAL): COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FRINGE BENEFITS for a later meeting. The policy is still under review and the Committee will meet next Tuesday. Mr. Tijerina seconded the motion; motion carried. Ms. Leven-Ramos reported the Committee asked legal counsel, Mr. Meurer to revisit the protocol on the handouts. Right now as it stands it is optional. She asked the Board to be pro-active and transparent to the community and provide said disclosure form on the LCC website and suggested since TASB will consider changes she recommends bringing it back at a later time. The Board took no action regarding BBFA (LEGAL) (EXHIBIT): ETHICS-CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE FORM. Ms. Leven-Ramos reported that during the Program/Policy Committee meeting Mr. Alfredo Iniguez reported all changes had been made to the student handbooks. Mr. Iniguez reported during the Board meeting the organizational structure and information page had been included as requested by the Board. This item was for update purposes and no Board action was required. At 7:16 p.m. Judge Martinez announced the Board would go into executive session DISCUSSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS , , AND REGARDING: EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION CHARGE(S) FILED BY CHARLOTTE CUNNINGHAM AND RECOMMENDATION FOR TERMINATION CONDITIONS OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER S RETURN TO WORK AND THE RECOMMENDATION FOR NON-RENEWAL OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT EQUITY ADJUSTMENT(S) FOR RECOMMENDED CURRENT EMPLOYEES STATUS OF NEGOTIATIONS FOR ACQUISITION OF A HISTORIC BUILDING LOCATED AT THE Public Hearing and Special Board of Trustees Meeting August 20, 2015 Page 3 of 5

4 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION CHARGE(S) FILED BY CHARLOTTE CUNNINGHAM AND RECOMMENDATION FOR TERMINATION CONDITIONS OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER S RETURN TO WORK AND RECOMMENDATION FOR NON-RENEWAL OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT APPROVAL OF EQUITY ADJUSTMENT(S) FOR RECOMMENDED CURRENT EMPLOYEES MS. JACKIE LEVEN-RAMOS ARMY RESERVE PROPERTY IN FORT MCINTOSH CAMPUS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL Mr. Tijerina so moved and Ms. Mares seconded the motion. Mr. De La Viña expressed his concern regarding the Chief Financial Officer ítem, stated he considered it bullying, and mentioned for the record, I am going to eliminate your power and give every Board member the same vote as you cause you re abusing your authority and that s my opinión. Judge Martinez stated, You are out of order Sir. At this time, I call for the vote. The motion carried with five votes, two against, and Ms. Vela abstained. The Board reconvened to open session at 9:07 p.m. Judge Martinez noted for the record that no action took place in executive session. Dr. Maldonado reported at yesterday s mediation they have come to an amicable resolution and so he and legal counsel will be finalizing those steps. He reported there is no action to be taken and withdrew his recommendation for termination of Ms. Charlotte Cunningham. Judge Martinez asked for a motion to acknowledge the recommendation by Dr. Juan L. Maldonado. Mr. De La Viña so moved. Mr. Tijerina seconded the motion; motion carried unanimously. Judge Martinez recognized Ms. Vela. Ms. Vela mentioned she d like to instruct legal counsel and administration to pursue the options discussed in executive session. Ms. Mares seconded that motion. During the discussion, Mr. De La Viña stated for the record, that this item on the agenda should have never been placed. And, I don t like the wording where it says non-renewal when we had already reinstated our CFO. I think it is wrong. I think it harassment. It shouldn t be there. Judge Martinez mentioned, So acknowledged. A vote was taken. The motion carried. Dr. Martinez and Mr. De La Viña voted against. Judge Martinez recognized Ms. Ramos. Ms. Leven-Ramos mentioned, the Board in June met and voted not to accept equity adjustments and I would like to make a motion to rescind part of that motion that deals with equity adjustments in the Instructional & Professional Development Coordinator and the Research Specialist Grade 24. Ms. Mares seconded the motion. The motion passed; Mr. De La Viña voted against. Ms. Leven-Ramos moved to have the equity adjustment for Instructional & Professional Development Coordinator due to changes in job assignment. It is a grant funded position to be considered. Ms. Mares seconded the motion. The motion passed with five votes (Mr. De La Viña, Dr. Martinez, and Ms. De La Peña voted against.) Ms. Leven-Ramos made a motion for the position of Research Specialist Grade 24 correct the error in the requirements for personnel action as discussed in executive session. Ms. Mares seconded the motion. During discussion, Mr. De La Viña stated I feel that no one s salaries should be adjusted, for the record, if there s no money for employees there s no money for anybody. A vote was taken. Judge Martinez indicated, The motion dies for a lack of a majority. Public Hearing and Special Board of Trustees Meeting August 20, 2015 Page 4 of 5

5 STATUS OF NEGOTIATIONS FOR ACQUISITION OF A HISTORIC BUILDING LOCATED AT THE ARMY RESERVE PROPERTY IN FORT MCINTOSH CAMPUS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL Dr. Maldonado mentioned that as previously reported LCC has an offer from the Army Reserve to deed over a piece of property that contains one of the historic buildings (725 sq. feet). The lot and the land that they want to deed amounts to about 1,200 sq. feet lot and asked the Board to allow him to move forward with the arrangements to have that property deeded to Laredo Community College. Judge Martinez asked for a motion to acknowledge the recommendation made by Dr. Maldonado. Ms. Mares so moved. The motion was seconded by Board member, Ms. Michelle de La Peña. The motion carried unanimously. NEXT MEETING DATES: Thursday, August 27, and September 3, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. in the Elpha Lee West 105. Dr. Martinez asked to add an item for the August 27 th Board Meeting Discuss and possible action of the faculty salary scales and possible adjustment thereof. Judge Martinez so acknowledged. Mr. De La Viña asked again for the September 3 rd meeting to place on the agenda Discussion and possible action to either buy out Dr. Maldonado or terminate employment. Judge Martinez so acknowledged. Ms. Vela mentioned the preliminary agenda for the August 27 th meeting where she asked that BD LOCAL be placed on the agenda has it to ratify or change it. She indicated that she did not want that at all. She wanted to discuss some concerns she had with that policy and also mentioned she did not think it had to go to Program and Policy. Discussion followed. Mr. Meurer cautioned the Board from additional discussion and suggested if there is a question on committee assignments and under what circumstances committees need to hear items an item can be set as a separate item for discussion. Judge Martinez so acknowledged. ADJOURNMENT At 9:17 p.m., Ms. Vela moved to adjourn the meeting and Mr. De La Viña seconded the motion; motion carried. Public Hearing and Special Board of Trustees Meeting August 20, 2015 Page 5 of 5